Former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot is gaining traction in polls as he prepares to challenge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming elections. Eisenkot, 66, is the leader of the Yashar political party and has positioned himself as a political outsider with a strong military background. Polls indicate that his party may secure the second-most seats in parliament, although both it and Netanyahu's Likud party are projected to fall short of a majority. The elections are expected to occur by late October 2026, but no specific date has been announced.
Eisenkot's military experience and personal losses, including the death of his son in Gaza, resonate with many voters. He is known for his hawkish security policies and has criticized Netanyahu's approach to U.S. demands regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. His party is seen as potentially more capable of forming a coalition with a wider range of political parties compared to Likud. Despite his rising popularity, analysts suggest that Netanyahu may still have the ability to recover in the political landscape.